‘They deserve a chance’: West Shore rescue seeks support to keep helping neglected animals

Every dollar raised supports the rescue’s work caring for animals with complex medical needs, behavioural challenges or advanced age.

Three years ago, Scarlett could barely walk.

The senior dog arrived in foster care severely overweight, struggling with mobility issues and in need of extensive veterinary treatment. Today, she’s 34 pounds lighter, thriving and celebrating her 10th birthday.

But the rescue that helped save her is now facing a crisis of its own.

Broken Promises Rescue says a key source of funding is at risk as slow sales and rising costs threaten the future of its Langford fundraising store, To the Rescue Boutique.

“If we don’t make enough, we’re going to have to close the store, unfortunately,” said founder Pamela Saddler.

The boutique, located in a plaza near the corner of Jacklin Road and Langford Parkway, sells new items donated by local businesses, artisans and crafters. Proceeds help fund the rescue’s work caring for animals that are often overlooked because of age, medical conditions or other challenges.

Founded in 2011, Broken Promises Rescue operates entirely through foster homes and may have between 50 and 100 animals in its care at any given time.

“We do all their vet care, get them assessed, do everything that’s needed and then they go out for adoption,” Saddler said.

“I spend almost $10,000 a month on vet bills.”

Scarlett is one of those animals.

When foster volunteer Tamara Gauthier first met the dog nearly three years ago, she was in rough shape.

“She was morbidly obese. She was limping heavily, quite out of condition, long nails, gigantic mammaries from a breeding she’d had,” Gauthier said.

The rescue funded thousands of dollars in veterinary care.

“Getting the weight off of her helped her with her arthritis, helped her mobility. But who’s got the patience to do that? Well, thankfully, Broken Promises does. And then the foster Tamara does,” said Veterinarian Dr. Adrian Russell.

Today, the dog who once struggled to walk is almost unrecognizable.

“She’s just a lovely, lovely dog,” Gauthier said.

Russell has worked with Broken Promises Rescue for more than a decade and has helped care for hundreds of animals through the organization.

He says rescues willing to take on older animals and those with significant medical needs fills a critical gap.

“If they weren’t there, there are lots of older animals that may just be euthanized,” Russell said.

In addition to donations, bottle drives, auctions and raffles, the boutique was intended to provide a steady stream of revenue to support that work. But attracting customers has been a challenge.

“I get that a lot. Every day,” Saddler said when asked about people who tell her they didn’t know the store existed.

The rescue is also seeking additional foster homes, which are essential because it does not operate a shelter facility.

Despite the uncertainty, Saddler remains focused on the animals.

“These animals that are coming to us have been basically let down by humans,” Saddler said. “If we can save as many lives as we can, to me it’s all worth it.”

“We’re struggling to get people in here and to know we’re here and to come often instead of going to Winners or one of the other little box stores,” she added.

For Gauthier, Scarlett’s transformation is a reminder of what’s possible when an animal is given a second chance.

It’s also a reminder of what’s at stake.

If the rescue loses a major source of funding, she worries some of the Island’s most vulnerable animals could be left with nowhere to turn.